Hervey Bay Seagulls look to rebound from winless 2023

After a tough 2023 season where both the reserve and A grade went winless, the Hervey Bay Seagulls look to 2024 with enthusiasm and belief.

After a tough 2023 season, the Hervey Bay Seagulls are positive 2024 will be more successful on and off the pitch.

The 2023 season was one to forget for the Hervey Bay Seagulls as the club crashed down to earth, going winless in both senior and reserve grades after winning the premiership in 2022.

It was a “shock” for the proud club which in its 50-year existence has produced NRL talent such as Jmaine Hopgood and been successful across all age levels.

Vice-president Sam Schooth put the bad year down to a combination of things: players and coaches retiring, moving towns and changing lifestyle.

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“It left us with a big hole talent-wise before the season had even begun,” he said.

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The hole the club was in, was clear from Round 1 when they suffered a 62-4 loss against eventual premiers Bundaberg Past Brothers.

It did not get easier from there as heavy defeats against West Panthers and East Magpies followed.

After having to forfeit in round 6 questions regarding the club‘s future were being asked.

The Hervey Bay Seagulls won it all in 2022 than went winless in 2023.

“I will always be proud of how the majority of players stuck together throughout the season,” said Schooth.

At the end of the season, a heartbreaking 32 -36 loss again East Magpies meant the team “could walk off the pitch with our heads held high”.

From the last game of the season until now, only positive news has come out of their home ground at Stafford Park.

After a tough 2023 season, the Hervey Bay Seagulls are positive 2024 will be more successful on and off the pitch.

The players have signed an “agreement to back each other and the coaches throughout everything” and “we are beginning pre-season as early as we can,” Schooth told the Chronicle.

Plans are also in place for the next generation of Seagulls.

“There is a pipeline of extremely talented kids in the youth ranks.”

The one bright spot was the Under 18 team winning the premiership last year and he predicts “they will be winning us senior premierships in a couple of years”.

Sam Scooth, Hervey Bay Seagulls vice-president.

Off the field, the club has taken steps to immerse itself in the Hervey Bay community.

Squad members will be acting as traffic controllers during the upcoming Hervey Bay 100 triathlon, working in partnership with the local Rotary club.

Describing this season as a “lesson learnt”, Schooth simply wants to “connect the community with the club once again”.

“We are essentially amateurs, some of us have never played before” but we have “rebuilt and rejuvenated ourselves and are ready to get loud in 2024”.

Those interested in joining the Seagulls are urged to contact their Facebook page or email [e-mail].